A theoretical study of acoustic S-wave and P-wave velocity logging with conventional and dipole sources in soft formations
This paper is focused on the special features of the wavetrains recorded by conventional and dipole sonic logging tools in soft formations defined to be those whose shar velocity is less than the sound velocity of drilling mud. Such formations are commonn in the Gulf Coast, the Canadian Arctic, the Bass Strait of Australia, and many other region. A conventional logging tool operating at normal frequencies [Formula: see text] records P waves, water waves, and Stoneley waves in soft formations. A dipole tool records modal waves and water waves at frequencies of order 15 kHz, but produces almost pure S-wave first arrivals at low frequencies [Formula: see text] since at 1 kHz, a mode which we refer to as a “dipole Stoneley wave” is efficiently excited. For very soft materials such as clays, where the formation P-wave velocity can be less than the fluid velocity, the formation P velocity can be logged by operating a conventional sonic tool at low frequencies [Formula: see text] so as to excite a leaky mode traveling at very close to the formation P-wave velocity. Water waves are not important for high‐velocity formations where they arrive at the trailing edge of the modal part of the wavetrain. However, in soft formalions they form a prominent part of the wavetrain at normal logging frequencies [Formula: see text] and disappear at low frequencies [Formula: see text]. Water waves are carried by leaky modes.